"Wow, this place is beautiful. And also," Lyrate said as she stepped closer to the lake, "there is an incredible amount of life force concentrated in the water."
Then the surface of the lake rippled.
At first it was subtle, like a small disturbance spreading across the water. The ripples widened slowly before the entire center of the lake began glowing faintly with violet light.
I frowned slightly and stepped beside Lyrate.
"You're right about the life force," I said quietly. "But there's more."
The glow intensified.
A thin column of violet essence rose from the lake, swirling gently like smoke drifting upward. Within the shifting light a small shape began to form.
Then the essence burst outward.
A tiny bird emerged from the water.
Its wings spread slowly as it lifted into the air, violet essence flowing across its feathers like living fire. The creature was no larger than a palm, yet every movement it made left shimmering trails of light behind it.
